Cultural Diversity

In 2005, UNESCO adopted the "Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions". This Magna Carta of international cultural policy enshrines the right to cultural self-determination in international law. Its key feature is the recognition of the right of all countries to pursue an independent cultural policy. The Convention complements the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) adopted by the WTO in 1994. On the basis of GATS, negotiations had been held aiming at extending wide-reaching liberalisation to cultural, audiovisual and educational services.

In order to formulate the German position to this UNESCO Convention together with civil society, the German Commission for UNESCO founded a nationwide Coalition for Cultural Diversity at the beginning of 2004.

"I’m in favour of paying the relatively small price of preserving diversity rather than the big price of losing it." (Wim Wenders)

Action Plan to promote the diversity of cultural expressions

The action plan "Diversity. Cooperation. Action" reveals strategies to implement the Convention on the Diversity of Cultural Expressions in Germany starting from 2013 until 2016. It contains explicit and practical recommendations on relevant topics and addresses all stakeholders that are involved in the process of implementing the Convention.

Policies and Best Practices for Cultural Diversity and Capacity Building

The German Commission for UNESCO and the German Permanent Delegation to UNESCO organised a meeting on the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expression on November 26th 2007 in Paris. The meeting focused on policies and best practices for cultural diversity and capacity building.